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The Art of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The Art of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, curated by concept artist Dermot Power, and filled with unique insights from Stuart Craig and the artists themselves about the filmmaking journey, takes you on a thrilling journey through a design process every bit as wonderful as that encountered by Newt, Tina, Queenie, and Jacob in the Wizarding World.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 11, 2019
First things first this deserves more ratings and reviews.
This book isn't just insightful, it is a thing of beauty and shows why this franchise is so successful. Sure there were timing issues with The Crimes of Grindelwald, but if you look at the level of detail in the sets and involving the making of these creatures, not to mention the backstory. Well, I can see this series getting better still.
Sure, it will never be Harry Potter, but then again, as I've said before, this was never the point. This is a different story with a different lead and Newt as a Hufflepuff is never going to so what Harry as a Griffyndor would.
That being said, this was a high quality behind the scenes book and shows beautifully just how a good story is made.
This book isn't just insightful, it is a thing of beauty and shows why this franchise is so successful. Sure there were timing issues with The Crimes of Grindelwald, but if you look at the level of detail in the sets and involving the making of these creatures, not to mention the backstory. Well, I can see this series getting better still.
Sure, it will never be Harry Potter, but then again, as I've said before, this was never the point. This is a different story with a different lead and Newt as a Hufflepuff is never going to so what Harry as a Griffyndor would.
That being said, this was a high quality behind the scenes book and shows beautifully just how a good story is made.
March 3, 2019
The Art of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald offers more than the general art book. Besides simply showcasing various design elements for the film, the book delves into the various rejected elements, as well as the set sketches and architectural experiments that went into building the various sets of the film. The VFX are explained in detail, with pictures from the film offering up images of how the greenscreens were used, and what choices went into the various environments.
Personally, I love looking into the various creature designs and how they evolved over time. The chupacabra in particular went through some interesting evolutions, as did the kelpie. The book is worth looking at for the vulture design of the augury alone, perched over a graveyard and filled with sad, tired wisdom. I couldn't get over how gorgeous many of the paintings were, and the fascinating way the pact vial, skull hookah, and Grindelwald's call to his followers changed from first sketch to final product. Likewise, the attention to detail in the raven statues, etc. were gorgeous.
The Circus Arcanus needs no introduction for how utterly fantastic the section on it in the book ended up being. The Underbeings deserve special mention, as does the Maledictus transformation (and Boggart transformations) for obvious reasons.
So much work goes into the set dressing in these films - it's worth looking at and poring over to truly appreciate it all. My only true disappointment in the film was how different Flamel's hideout was from conception to eventual on screen appearance. He could have been utilized in far more interesting ways than he ended up being.
So, much like the first, a great book for cinema enthusiasts and fans alike. The paintings just can't be beat.
Personally, I love looking into the various creature designs and how they evolved over time. The chupacabra in particular went through some interesting evolutions, as did the kelpie. The book is worth looking at for the vulture design of the augury alone, perched over a graveyard and filled with sad, tired wisdom. I couldn't get over how gorgeous many of the paintings were, and the fascinating way the pact vial, skull hookah, and Grindelwald's call to his followers changed from first sketch to final product. Likewise, the attention to detail in the raven statues, etc. were gorgeous.
The Circus Arcanus needs no introduction for how utterly fantastic the section on it in the book ended up being. The Underbeings deserve special mention, as does the Maledictus transformation (and Boggart transformations) for obvious reasons.
So much work goes into the set dressing in these films - it's worth looking at and poring over to truly appreciate it all. My only true disappointment in the film was how different Flamel's hideout was from conception to eventual on screen appearance. He could have been utilized in far more interesting ways than he ended up being.
So, much like the first, a great book for cinema enthusiasts and fans alike. The paintings just can't be beat.
January 31, 2019
Si te gustó la película el libro es una gozada, bocetos de escenarios, animales...
August 2, 2020
Beautiful book with many detailed sketches, drawings and pictures of everything in the Crimes of Grindelwald movie.
February 17, 2021
New York is fabulous, and it was great getting to visit its many inspiring 1920s locations in the first Fantastic Beasts film, but nothing can really top the magic of London and Paris for me. Even in my wearied state, the first time I set foot in London (ca. 2am arriving off a delayed Eurostar from Provence) I knew the city for the place of magic that it is. Yes, I’m fully biased by the many many MANY magical books that I’ve read that are set there, but sometimes you just get a feeling of whole-ness from a location that transcends and confirms everything that you thought you knew. For me, London is absolutely that place, so I was expectedly chuffed that we would once again be venturing into its historic streets during the second Fantastic Beasts film. In true London form, the artists who got to reimagine the location during an earlier time period gave us stunning St. Paul’s Cathedral-dominated city-scape vistas, the slow creep of the London fog, and rain-slicked (but still sparklingly-moody) streets, but with a magical twist. Drawing mostly on reality (at least in my mind), the artists did a wonderful job inspiring the filmmakers, and seeing their concept artwork was a treat. And then we set foot (or Portkey) across the Channel to visit Paris. Oh Paris! I have yet to visit it (besides the airport in Roissy and bypassing via train), but I feel like I have so many times from the many other films, novels, and artwork that I continually devour that is set there. Inspired by the Art Nouveau stylings that dominated the Paris landscape (and so much of its continuing city-scape) the designers once again easily tread the line between magic and reality. We visit a new Ministry of Magic, see a strangely morbid travelling circus, and are introduced to a whole bevy of new creatures - which are, of course, some of the main stars of the film. Seeing the designers build up new stories inspired by Paris and French mythology was equally as stunning as their exploration of London, and possibly even more so since the material is absolutely new to the Wizarding World that we are all familiar with. It almost makes me sad after finishing this book that we’ll likely be headed off to different European centres for the remaining films (I expect Switzerland or Germany, and possibly Prague next), since I am loath to leave Paris behind. At least we’ll likely be visiting Hogwarts again, and possibly London, as Jude Law’s Dumbledore is likely to take centre stage and we’ve also been introduced to Newt’s London stronghold townhouse! Too bad we’ll be waiting quite a while for the next film, but at least the exploratory books that we get to tide us over in the meantime are of excellent quality!
May 8, 2020
This is in my opinion a very nice art book, since it ticks the following boxes:
* Different stages of process: conceptual work (also the more extreme and very early experiments) through to the beautifully finished set pieces or digital renderings.
* Different types of craftmanship: character creation, traditional art, digital art, 3D art, scaled drawings for the art department and sculptures.
* Very clear illustrations of how the real world and digital enhancement have been merged together.
* Great comments about the process from the creative team.
* All designs and comments are clearly marked with artists names.
* Full page illustrations (maybe a few to many, or in my opinion it might just be the wrong illustrations, they singled out for some of these)
This book really showcases some of the details and thoughts, that has gone in to so many of the scenes, which we don't get time to fully enjoy or soak up during the actual movie.
I am looking forward to the next movie, as well as the "Art of..." book ;P
* Different stages of process: conceptual work (also the more extreme and very early experiments) through to the beautifully finished set pieces or digital renderings.
* Different types of craftmanship: character creation, traditional art, digital art, 3D art, scaled drawings for the art department and sculptures.
* Very clear illustrations of how the real world and digital enhancement have been merged together.
* Great comments about the process from the creative team.
* All designs and comments are clearly marked with artists names.
* Full page illustrations (maybe a few to many, or in my opinion it might just be the wrong illustrations, they singled out for some of these)
This book really showcases some of the details and thoughts, that has gone in to so many of the scenes, which we don't get time to fully enjoy or soak up during the actual movie.
I am looking forward to the next movie, as well as the "Art of..." book ;P
December 13, 2020
Es incredible ver el trabajo de los artistas detrás de una película, ver los pequeños detalles que en muchas ocasiones por la rapidez de las escenas no podemos apreciar, la evolución creativa que los llevó a eso y por supuesto la increíble cantidad de conceptos que no llegaron a ser parte de la película. Asombroso!!!👏👏👏
November 9, 2020
I Swear the art-prints are way too dark (when the art is in nighttime), I can't see what's going on.
Regardless, the creatures and composition is top notch. I'd really like it if they can also gives some colour palettes and other references.
Regardless, the creatures and composition is top notch. I'd really like it if they can also gives some colour palettes and other references.
January 1, 2019
This book is gorgeous and I loved reading about all the secrets of the film.
January 2, 2019
A beautiful book showcasing artists sketches and designs for elements within the movie.
May 15, 2019
Most enjoyable.
January 29, 2020
Pretty neat BTS on the making of the movie
October 4, 2020
Súper completo, con muchos concepts de los animales y las escenografías!
June 12, 2021
entretenido
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews